Chemical spill at Totowa water treatment plant no threat to public

A hazmat situation at the Passaic Valley Water Commission treatment facility on Union Boulevard brought mutual assistance from surrounding towns. Two fire trucks are pictured spraying water on the drums to prevent chemical vaporization. Authorities are still investigating the cause and cleaning up the site.

TOTOWA - Emergency vehicles rushed to Union Boulevard in Totowa in response to a chemical spill at the Passaic Valley Water Commission treatment plant that occurred during the early morning hours Wednesday.

The spill was first reported at approximately 6:15 a.m., when Passaic County hazardous materials responders, including area fire and police officials arrived at the scene of the spill, located approximately 1,000 from the main gate. Fire trucks sprayed water on the drums to prevent the chemical release of hydrogen peroxide vapors, according to officials. The plant treats water drawn from the Passaic River and provides 750,000 customers in Paterson, Passaic, Clifton and other towns with drinking water.

Fire departments from neighboring towns were also notified and sent in as back-up to assist with the spill, according to Totowa Fire Chief Vincent Marciano.

"We were the first fire personnel on the scene when we met up with the Passaic Valley Water Commission representative at the plant," said Marciano. "We encountered 14 drums of hydrogen peroxide in a vaporized state. Once hazmat officials arrived from the county, we then needed to bring in additional water supplies other than the supply located at the property in order to work on it right away and keep the vapor cloud low. It also needed to be brought down to a cool temperature so it did not reach ignition temperature."

Marciano also added that due to the long relay of water coming off of Union Boulevard, additional fire department backup was necessary. Fire department responders arrived from Woodland Park, Little Falls, Clifton, Passaic, Wayne and Cedar Grove. Little Falls police closed off one roadway to traffic on Union, adjacent to the site.

"The Sheriff's Department had their hazmat working on containment and we had the suppression on the other side of the barrels, so everything worked out well," he said. "We also had to battle the hot weather conditions, which is why we also brought in extra resources to keep the firefighters safe and hydrated."

According to Joe Bella, executive director of the Passaic Valley Water Commission, there were no injuries and no impact to the surrounding communities as a result of the spill. The hot weather was suspected but not confirmed by authorities and the investigation into the spill is ongoing.

"It did not affect the water supply or nearby Passaic River," Bella added. "The situation was controlled and mitigated following proper procedures at approximately 12:30 p.m. Authorities are currently continuing with clean-up efforts."